how to stop acid reflux?

Answer 1

Your doctor is the best person to ask for help. The medications like prilosec are very helpful in protecting your esophagus.

I lost two relatives to esophageal cancer caused by the damage from untreated acid erosion of the esophagus. Only a physician can evaluate whether you need to be watched for damage.
Esophageal cancer has only a 5% survival rate.

Answer 2

There are non-surgical methods of controlling acid reflux and surgical.

Acid reflux is usually caused by inadequacy of the "muscle" at the lower end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It separates the esophagus from the acid producing stomach. If the sphincter isn't working right the acid from the stomach will go into the esophagus where it burns the tender lining causing terrible pain, maybe even into the lungs (causing a horrific choking/coughing spell), and sometimes even onto your pillow at night.

Some things that make the LES work poorly are:
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, and, unfortunately chocolate), and fatty foods.
- Mechanical abnormalities, namely something called a hiatal hernia can also make the sphincter to reflux. This is worse if pressure is put onto the sphincter, like for instance when you eat then lay down, or if you eat a lot, or if you've got a big belly (obesity).
So, to stop acid reflux:
- Start by staying away from the caffeine and fatty foods.
- Don't eat within a couple of hours before bedtime.
- Loosen up your belt (decreases intrabdominal pressure).
- Lose some weight if you're overweight.
- You might try putting a couple of bricks under the head of your bed to keep pressure off your sphincter (most folks find this uncomfortable as they end up sliding towards the foot of their bed at night).

Medical things you might try:
- Antacids - Tums, Rolaids, etc. Neutralize the acid in the stomach. Usually give short-lived relief. Good if reflux episodes are sporadic.
- H2 antagonists - tagamet, Zantac, etc. They decrease the acid production in your stomach, so even if you do reflux, at least you're no longer burning your esophagus. Maybe your esophagus will heal and the reflux will stop.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) - Prilosec, Aciphex, Prevacid, Nexium. A bit more expensive than H2 antagonists but work MUCH better.
- Propulsion agonists - Reglan. It speeds things going through the stomach. Good if you have something called gastroparesis, usually found in diabetics.

Surgical options, if medical options don't work well enough (or if you don't want to take medicine for the rest of your life), include:
- Endoscopic sphincter repairs - way cool procedure done with a tube passed through your mouth and down your esophagus (no scars, minimal pain), but data on long term success aren't yet out.
- Nissen Fundoplication (Laparoscopic of course) - great procedure. Works well. Good long term success rates. Well worth looking up on the internet.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

How long has it been since you have seen your doctor? Does he or she know about this? I advise you to make an appointment.

Acid reflux may be treated with or without medication. If you can try to avoid spicy and greasy foods to start with. Watch your intake of caffeine and caffeinated drinks. If you are not successful in eliminating your acid reflux, then you should see your family doctor.

Acid reflux can cause other problems too that are worse than what you are dealing with now. See your family physician ASAP so you can get treated right away. He or she may run tests on you. Your doctor may order a endoscopy test. This is a test that a doctor puts a "hose like instument" down your throat. The tip of the "hose" has a little light and camera in it. That assists the doctor to know exactly what is causing your trouble. The procedure could last fifteen minutes to a half hour; depending on what the doctor finds.

Good luck to you and I hope I was somewhat helpful!

Answer 5

Love all the medical advice? First things first is to determine if it is from too much or too little acid in the stomach. I know, the common medical assumption is that it is too much, but this is usually not the case as the stomach's production of acid decreases with increased age. This means the older you get, the less acid production you have - thus it is less and less likely from too much acid. To determine if it is too much or too little is a simple test. Next time you have a meal put about 1tsp of apple cider vinegar in with 1tlb of water and sip on it during your meal. If the problem gets worse, you have too much acid. If the problem gets better, too little. This is very much why many patient of mine find drinking a little cheap wine with their meal helps settle the stomach.

The idea that your acid reflux is the result of a bacterial infection is like saying an rotten apple is from the fly's swarming around it. Bacteria is only found when the mucus lining in the stomach has thinned and the pH altered enough to allow for the organisms to live, thus causing their appearance. Bacteria does not hang out in healthy parts of our body, only in unhealthy parts.

Since this post is on the alternative medicine section - here are some alternative options.

First - if too much acid - use a natural basic substance like calcium carbonate - also known as TUMS. Even better is to use some digestive aids called enzymes to help your body break down your food easier and not require so much acid to be needed to turn on the natural enzymes your body makes to help break down the food.

If too little acid - then your stomach isn't digesting your food well enough because acid is required to active the stomach enzymes which digest the food. This means the need to eat smaller meals, and add some protease (protein enzyme) in your diet. In addition try a small glass of wine with the meal to assist. The peppermint tea isn't bad either, but is better used for an upset stomach. The reason you still get the reflux, even though it is from lack of acid, is because without the acid the food sits undigested and begins to ferment, which leads to gas build up, which releases into the esophagus - i.e. acid reflux (just without the acid). You can use an antacid to get rid of the gas, but the process will continue to repeat itself over and over because the underlying problem isn't fixed.

Last is to try a diaphragm pull. This has been used for decades by many natural health practitioners with much success. The diaphragm is the muscel that the esophagus runs through just before it attaches to the stomach. Often times the stomach will get pulld down, or the diaphragm raised up just enough to not allow for the esophageal sphincter to close tight enough. A simple way of fixing this is to have someone put pull down on the diaphragm while you exhale. Simple inhale, have the person push thier fingertips inward just below the rib cage (both sides), and as you exhale pull snuggle downward towards the feet. If you can find a message therapist or chiropractor who has done this, it will work much better, but still be uncomfortable.

Best of wishes. - And as always, if the problem persist, due go see an M.D. to rule out a serious disease - but lets get real. Acid Reflux isn't a disease, its the symptom of poor digestion. If anything, the disease is poor digestion, not the reflux. The only reason they call it a disease is so they can push the purple pill on you.

Answer 6

short of seeing a doctor, which might not be a bad idea depending on how long you have had this problem. there are other alternatives that have worked for me. i once was taking a prescription medication that gave me terrible indigestion along with acid reflux. i know it was the meds, because when i stopped taking it my problem went away. this a common side affect of many prescription drugs, this could be something for you to look into. when i was having this problem baking soda was my number one choice, but follow the directions on the box carefully. i also kept water with me at all times.a good big swallow would temporally put out "the fire" and after a while the problem would go a way. i think the water would dilute the acid. another old time remedy is herbal peppermint tea. i also elevated the head of my bed to reduce the problem at night. doctors used to recommend this for hiatal hernia and i kept big glass of water by my bed. if any of this works it does not mean your problem is solved, it could mean that only the symthems have been alleviated. i'm not big on doctors, but i'm not foolish either. only you know the extent of your problem and all the details. good luck oddyerdy

Answer 7

You can get rid of acid reflux and heartburn with this natural method http://acidreflux-cure.info
Usually, heartburnThe most common symptom of acid reflux disease (also known as gastroespohageal reflux disease, or GERD). Heartburn feels like a burning pain in the center of the chest. It is caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the esophagus. is a symptom of acid reflux disease (GERD) Also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Describes the condition of backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus which frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. The symptoms of acid reflux disease typically occur on 2 or more days a week.. And if you suffer from persistent heartburn on two or more days a week—and you’ve treated it and changed your diet—it could be due to acid refluxBackflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Acid reflux frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. This allows harsh stomach juices to back up into the esophagus. disease. But only your doctor can tell you if these are signs of acid reflux disease.

Answer 8

Maybe it's from certain foods you eat. Some things lower the tone of your lower esophageal sphincter, which in turn causes acid reflux - things like onions, caffeine, garlic, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, smoking, aspirin, antidepressants, and excessive fats. Maybe it's an ulcer or acid reflux disease and you should consult a physician.

Answer 9

Spoonful of baking soda in a cold glass of water.
The first thing you eat/drink in the morning will make a big difference. Orange juice, coffee, and smoking will guarantee acid reflux by the afternoon in a sensitive stomach.
If that doesn't help, you probably have an ulcer. Seek medical attention.

Answer 10

I don't know, for me the only way I have been able to stop it is with medicine. I think it depends how severe it is. If you have regular acid reflux or heart burn talk to your doctor, but Prilosec OTC works awesome. It is not fast acting, but is intended to be used everyday, rather thatn at the time of an occurance.